[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 134 (Thursday, July 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-17090]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 14, 1994]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Parts 141 and 143

[WH-FRL-5011-2]

 

National Primary and Secondary Drinking Water Regulations: 
Analytical Methods for Regulated Drinking Water Contaminants

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of data availability.

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SUMMARY: EPA is making available to the public a study that reports 
that a new analytical method, the Colisure test, is at least as good as 
EPA's previously approved methods for detecting total coliform bacteria 
and the bacterium, Escherichia coli, in drinking water. Both organisms 
must be monitored under EPA's drinking water regulations on total 
coliforms. The Agency evaluated the Colisure test and found the test to 
be at least as good as EPA's ``reference'' methods. Along with other 
changes relating to analytical test methods recently proposed, the 
Agency intends to amend regulations to approve the Colisure test as an 
option for detecting total coliforms and E. coli in drinking water. In 
addition to the Colisure test, the Agency is making performance data 
available that supports approval of EPA Method 504.1 for the analysis 
of 1,2,3-trichloropropane, EPA Method 200.7 for the analysis of sodium, 
EPA Method 200.8 for the analysis of mercury, Method 3111B in Standard 
Methods for the analysis of sodium, and withdrawal of approval for a 
number of outdated EPA chemistry methods. EPA invites public comment on 
whether the Agency should approve the Colisure test and other new and 
updated methods, and withdraw approval from other indicated methods.

DATES: Comments should be postmarked or delivered by hand on or before 
August 15, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments on this notice of availability to 
Chemistry Methods Docket Clerk, Water Docket (MC-4101); U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency; 401 M Street, SW.; Washington, DC 
20460. Please submit any references cited in your comments. EPA would 
appreciate an original and three copies of your comments and enclosures 
(including references). Commenters who want EPA to acknowledge receipt 
of their comments should include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. No 
facsimiles (faxes) will be accepted.
    The document cited in this notice and any public comments received 
are available for review at EPA's Water Docket at the address above. 
For access to Docket materials, call (202) 260-3027 between 9 am and 
3:30 pm Eastern Time for an appointment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Safe Drinking Water Hotline, 
Telephone (800) 426-4791. The Safe Drinking Water Hotline is open 
Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays, from 9:00 am to 5:30 
pm Eastern Time. For technical questions on chemical methods, contact 
Richard Reding, Ph.D., Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (TSD), 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268, telephone 
(513) 569-7946. For technical questions on the Colisure test, contact 
Paul S. Berger, Ph.D., Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (MC-
4603), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street SW., 
Washington DC 20460, telephone (202) 260-3039.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On December 15, 1993, EPA proposed to amend regulations to approve 
several new analytical methods and update previously approved methods 
for a number of regulated chemical, microbiological, and physical 
contaminants in drinking water (58 FR 65622). The Agency also proposed 
to withdraw approval for outdated methods and outdated versions of the 
same method. Since publication of the proposal, the Agency completed 
evaluation of an additional microbiology method, referred to as the 
Colisure Test. Performance data indicate to EPA that the Colisure test 
is at least as good as analytical methods already approved for the 
detection of total coliforms and E. coli and consequently should be 
approved for inclusion under Sec. 141.21(f)(3). This test is described 
in the next section.
     In addition, since the December 15 proposal, EPA completed 
evaluation of EPA Method 504.1 for the analysis of 1,2,3-
trichloropropane, an ``unregulated'' volatile organic compound. 
Performance data suggests that this method, already approved for the 
analytical determination of ethylene dibromide and 
dibromochloropropane, is also suitable for analysis of 1,2,3- 
trichloropropane under Sec. 141.24(e) and Sec. 141.40(g). EPA Method 
504.1 has a substantially lower detection limit than the methods 
already approved for this compound. If approved, laboratories may 
either use this test or any other approved test for the analytical 
determination of 1,2,3-trichloropropane in drinking water.
    Thirdly, EPA is making available data to support expanding the 
scope of EPA Method 200.8 to include mercury under Sec. 141.23(k)(l). 
This expansion would allow a laboratory to analyze mercury and several 
other inorganic contaminants with a single method. The Agency believes 
that data support the use of EPA Method 200.8 as an alternative 
analytical test for the analysis of mercury in drinking water. If the 
Agency approves EPA Method 200.8 for mercury, the final rule would 
update the citation for this method from ``Methods for the 
Determination of Metals in Environmental Samples'' (EPA-600/4-91-010, 
June 1991) to ``Methods for the Determination of Metals in 
Environmental Samples--Supplement'' (1994). The update would not differ 
from the earlier publication except that it would include mercury and 
would be editorially revised to conform with a new EPA format for 
methods.
    The data made available in today's notice supports approval of 
these three tests. The data is available for review at EPA's Water 
Docket at the address above. In addition, ``Methods for the 
Determination of Metals in Environmental Samples--Supplement'' (1994) 
also is available in the Docket.
    In addition to these three tests, as a result of public comments 
and additional internal review, EPA is considering amending the 
drinking water regulations to withdraw the following methods:
    (1) EPA Methods 206.2 (arsenic), 208.2 (barium), and 354.1 
(nitrite) under Sec. 141.23(k) because those methods are outdated and 
the Agency has either proposed or already approved equivalent, updated 
versions of these methods that are published in the American Society 
for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and 18th edition of Standard Methods 
for the Examination of Water and Wastewater.
    (2) EPA Methods 220.1 and 220.2 (copper), 150.1 and 150.2 (pH), 
215.1 and 215.2 (calcium), 239.2 (lead), 120.1 (conductivity), 310.1 
(alkalinity), 365.2 and 365.3 (orthophosphate), and 370.1 (silica) 
under Sec. 141.89(a). When EPA published the December 15, 1993, Federal 
Register proposal, the Agency anticipated imminent publication of 
another rulemaking associated with the lead and copper rule that would 
have accomplished this. This other rulemaking, however, has been 
delayed and consequently EPA now believes it would be appropriate to 
invite public comment on withdrawal of these outdated EPA methods (or 
outdated versions of approved methods) in the present notice. EPA has 
already approved equivalent updated versions of these methods in 
Standard Methods (18th edition) and ASTM that use the same equipment, 
procedures, and technology.
    (3) EPA Methods 110.2 (color), 220.1 and 220.2 (copper), 425.1 
(foaming agents), 140.1 (odor), 150.1 and 150.2 (Ph) and 160.1 (total 
dissolved solids). EPA no longer intends to recommend these methods for 
the analysis of secondary contaminants under Sec. 143.4 because these 
methods are outdated and the Agency already recommends equivalent 
updated versions in Standard Methods and ASTM.
    (4) EPA Method 273.1, EPA Method 273.2, Method 320A (flame 
photometric method) in the 14th edition of Standard Methods, and ASTM 
method D1428-64. The Agency would replace these four outdated methods 
for sodium determinations under Sec. 141.41(d) with method 3111B 
(direct atomic absorption) in the 18th edition of Standard Methods and 
EPA Method 200.7 (inductively coupled plasma), which is contained in 
``Methods for the Determination of Metals in Environmental Samples--
Supplement'' (1994). Both of these methods are currently approved for 
several contaminants under Secs. 141.23(k), 141.89(a), and 143.4(b).
    The present notice indicates the availability of data supporting 
withdrawal of approval of the above EPA methods. The data is available 
for review at EPA's Water Docket at the address above.
    Finally, the Federal Register notice of December, 15, 1993, 
proposed to approve EPA Methods 100.2 (asbestos) and 525.2 (several 
organic chemicals) as updates to previous versions. The notice cited 
two draft publications, ``Method for the Determination of Asbestos 
Structure over 10m in Length in Drinking Water'' and ``EPA 
Method 525.2''. EPA has completed these two draft publications, which 
are available for public review and comment in EPA's Water Docket. The 
June 1994 version of 100.2 differs from the proposed draft by including 
editorial clarifications that were suggested by public commenters. The 
March 1994 version of Method 525.2 differs from the earlier draft by 
increasing the holding times for samples and sample extracts, and 
including data that supports this increase.

II. Description of the Colisure Test

    The Colisure test simultaneously determines the presence of total 
coliforms and E. coli, both of which must be monitored under the Total 
Coliform Rule (40 CFR 141.21). The Colisure test involves the addition 
of a 100-ml drinking water sample, either as a single volume or as five 
20-ml volumes, to a specially formulated dehydrated medium. After 
incubation for 24-28 hours at 35 deg.C, the tube or bottle is examined. 
If total coliforms are present, the medium changes from a yellow color 
to a red or magenta color. If E. coli are also present, the medium will 
emit a bright blue fluorescence when subjected to ultraviolet light.
    The Colisure test is based on the detection of two enzymes, beta-
galactosidase and beta-glucuronidase, which are characteristic of total 
coliforms and E. coli, respectively. For the detection of the enzyme 
beta-galactosidase, the test medium includes a chromogenic enzyme 
substrate, chlorophenol red beta- galactopyranoside. If beta-
galactosidase is present, the substrate is hydrolyzed to form 
chlorophenol red, which is responsible for the color change. For beta-
glucuronidase detection, the medium includes a fluorogenic enzyme 
substrate, 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-glucuronide (MUG). If this 
enzyme is present, MUG is hydrolyzed, thereby releasing 4-
methylumbelliferone which fluoresces when exposed to ultraviolet light.

Test Results

    The Agency, after reviewing the data supporting the Colisure test, 
found the test to be equivalent in performance to EPA's reference 
methods (the Fermentation Tube Technique for total coliforms, EC-MUG 
for E. coli). With regard to specificity, 21 primary effluent samples 
from 7 different geographical sites were analyzed for total coliforms 
and E. coli by the Colisure test. Positive and negative cultures were 
then validated by other, more standard tests. These results indicated 
that the Colisure test had a false-positive rate of 3.5% and 4.3%, 
respectively, for total coliforms and E. coli. The false-negative rate 
was 0% and 2.4%, respectively. EPA believes that these results show 
that the specificity of the Colisure test as an alternative analytical 
test method for total coliforms and E. coli is reasonable.
    With regard to performance comparability, investigators collected 
31 primary effluent samples from 6 different locations and compared the 
Colisure method with EPA's reference methods for the detection of 
chlorine-injured total coliforms and E. coli. After 28 hours, the 
Colisure test had an average of 1.6 times more total coliform-positive 
responses than the reference method, and 1.76 times more E. coli-
positive responses than the reference method. This study suggests that 
the Colisure test could recover chlorine-injured coliforms to a greater 
extent than EPA's reference methods.
    The above studies suggest that the Colisure test performs 
satisfactorily, and its performance is at least as good as the 
reference methods for total coliforms and E. coli. The Agency requests 
public comment on the suitability of this test. If the Agency decides 
to approve the Colisure test, it will probably do so as part of the 
final rulemaking that promulgates the regulatory revisions proposed in 
the Federal Register on December 15, 1993. If approved, laboratories 
may either use this test or any other approved test for total coliforms 
or E. coli in drinking water.

    Dated: July 5, 1994.
Robert Perciasepe,
Assistant Administrator.
[FR Doc. 94-17090 Filed 7-13-94; 8:45 am]
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